Manchester United are about to learn something new about Kobbie Mainoo vs Liverpool FC

"You can't win anything with kids." The old Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson did.

That infamous quote from Alan Hansen - perhaps then the biggest name in TV punditry - came back to bite him with interest when United won the lot (and won it again) when their own iconic Scot was at the helm. Modern-day United are winning hardly anything, with or without the youngsters.

United have given their supporters little to cheer about this season - or over the last decade for that matter - but there are one or two shining lights starting to emerge from that tunnel. Kobbie Mainoo is chief among them as he gets ready to prove how good he can be when United get down to business with age-old rivals Liverpool.

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Another reason to keep the faith - Alejandro Garnacho - stole the headlines when United made the short journey to Merseyside last month. However, even though the overhead kick scored by the Argentine was jaw-dropping to say the least, it was Mainoo who really caught the eye with a mature display.

"We know we're in a transition," said United manager Erik ten Hag after finally being able to unleash the teenager. "We have to develop players, but kids have to deserve it."

Mainoo not only deserved his delayed opportunity, but he took it with both feet. The midfielder oozed class from his first touch to last in a top-flight debut of the highest order, regardless of age or United's sky-high old standards.

"It was painful for us when he got a bad injury in pre-season, but now he's back," added Ten Hag. "He's a good boy, very mature and he showed that [against Everton]. I know young players will develop very